Roads closed and shops damaged after tobacco shop fire in Cobden
Fire damages multiple adjoining shops in the Victorian town's main street
Quick Look
- Police are investigating a suspicious fire that destroyed a two-month-old tobacco shop in Cobden, Victoria.
- The blaze, which occurred on Curdie Street, damaged three neighboring businesses and required a two-hour response from emergency services.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The tobacco shop had been operating for only two months before the fire occurred. The incident took place in the main street of Cobden, a town with approximately 1,800 residents.
Police are investigating a suspicious fire that gutted a tobacco store that opened only two months ago in the south-west Victorian town of Cobden.
Emergency services were called to the fire on Curdie Street at about 6:15am and found the shop fully engulfed by flames.
CFA commander Rob Howell said the fire damaged at least three other shops in the arcade.
He said there were some road closures in the area and he did not expect the adjoining shops to be open today.
It took firefighters two hours to bring the fire under control.
The arcade is in the main street of Cobden, which has a population of about 1,800.
Victoria Police said a crime scene had been established as investigators worked to determine the cause of the fire.
An arson chemist is expected to investigate the scene at the tobacco shop today.
Brendan Cook, from the IGA supermarket across the road, said he could hear loud bangs from the fire.
"Driving to work, I could see smoke," he said.
"When I pulled in to the front driveway of the supermarket, you could see flames coming out of the roof and every so often a few bangs."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Arson chemist to investigate the scene
Very likely · Within hours
Open Questions
- What was the specific cause of the fire?
- Are there any suspects identified in the arson investigation?